Breastfeeding: The First Hour Matters

March 13, 2017

Hosted by Marie Biancuzzo, RN MS IBCLC

Guest Information

Episode Description

A decade has passed since "Breastfeeding the First Hour - Save One Million Babies" was the catchphrase for the international World Breastfeeding Week celebration. Ten years' worth of new research has proven that breastfeeding your baby during the first hour after delivery makes a huge difference in terms of his health--both short-term and long-term. Unfortunately, U.S. delivery rooms are not keeping up with the science. Too often, the baby's first opportunity to breastfeed is delayed. It may be due to the hospital setting and rules, or beliefs and cultural norms of the health care provider, the mother, her family, or her community. Or perhaps medication or labor/delivery practices have gotten in the way. Join Marie and her guest, midwife Vicki Penwell, as they talk about the capabilities and limitations for newborns during the first hour, the real and perceived barriers of First Hour breastfeeding.

Born to be Breastfed

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Every new mother hears that breast is best. Many decide to breastfeed so their baby has the best. But soon after birth, the days are often fraught with sleep deprivation and conflicting messages from peers, family members, and health care professionals. Later, negative messages from the media and critical comments from family members and others may trigger mothers to question their decision. Feelings of inadequacy, intimidation and societal pressure to wean can cause mothers to give up breastfeeding before meeting their goals.

The aim of this show is to empower parents to overcome the barriers that keep them from beginning or continuing to breastfeed. Through discussion of hospital practices, milk supply, medications, returning to work, milk storage options, and more, this show will provide an informed and supportive voice for new families and established families, so that they can take charge of their breastfeeding experience from conception through weaning.

Marie Biancuzzo, RN MS IBCLC

Marie Biancuzzo started helping mothers, babies and families to succeed at breastfeeding more than thirty years ago. Fondly remembered for decades by mothers, she earned their trust by helping them to cut through the misinformation, bust the myths, and believe in themselves. Among her peers, Marie has received international recognition as a clinical expert, book author, and national-level change agent. She was a founding member of the United States Breastfeeding Committee, the past president of Baby-Friendly USA, and the founding editor of Nursing for Women's Health.

Marie has both depth and breadth of expertise from having worked in community and teaching hospitals, with mothers and health care providers, in nearly all subspecialties of maternal infant health. From the mother’s hospital bedside to the university classroom, Marie has honed her skills at helping people be good consumers of health care information.

A native of the Rochester, New York area, Marie now resides in the Washington DC area but crisscrosses the country as Director of Breastfeeding Outlook, the education company she founded in 1998. Through her courses and seminars, Marie works to help nurses and other professionals learn how to help families with breastfeeding and related perinatal topics. Recognized for her warmth and personable teaching style, Marie continues to provide direct assistance to mothers, as well.